Construction Set to Start on New Lake Country Food Bank

The current location of the Lake Country Food Bank gives volunteers only 800 square feet of working space. (Photo Credit: Lake Country Food Bank)

The new building for Lake Country Food Bank is rolling along.

Construction is scheduled to start March 16th, thanks to the help of some eager Okanagan College students. The trades school will be sending 11 students and an instructor to provide free labour for 16 weeks, minimizing costs for the new building and giving the students valuable experience. The students for the residential construction program have done the occasional small building, such as day cares, but this larger construction project will help hone their skills.

Food is stacked nearly to the ceiling at the current location. (Photo Credit: Lake Country Food Bank)

The goal is to get the building to lock-up in 16 weeks, with all walls, windows, and doors in place.

The final details are still coming together with permits and such for construction, but organizers are excited to get the ground broken. “We're pretty pumped to be able to see some physical progress on it,” said Bob Rymerchuck, a member of the Rotary Club of Lake Country that's been working on the project for over four years.

Cheque from the Aviva Community Fund, giving $100,000 towards a new building. (Photo Credit: Lake Country Food Bank)

Organizers are still fundraising for the project and have commitments from supplier and contractors to donate materials and time. Thanks to the $100,000 boost the project received through Aviva, the goal is for the building to open in December 2015.

The current space for the Lake Country Food Bank is the 800-foot cramped basement of the 100-year-old Winfield Elementary School, which is up for sale.

*Cover Photo Credit: Lake Country Food Bank*